Expansible head for presses.



No. 831,265. YPATENTED SEPT. 18, 1906.

' M. B. GOROORAN.

EXPANSIBLE HEAD FOR PRESSES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 11. 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1..

WlfNZEEEE 5 35 BTW RS cu, umsumcron, n. c

No. 831,265. PATENTED SBPT.1V8, 1906. M! B. COROORAN.

BXPANSIBLE HEAD FOR PRESSES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 11. 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

n mmms PETERS cm, wnsumarou, n. cy

No. 831,265. PATENTED SEPT. 18, 1906. MB. CORCORAN.

EXPANSIBLB HEAD FOR PRESSES.

' APPLICATION FILED FEB.11.1905.v

BSHEETS-QSHEET a.

I; I ,f

111E NaRms PETERS 0a., WASHINGTON, n. cy

. the same into a relatively narrow space 00011-- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MICHAEL BERT OOROORAN, OF HAMILTON, MONTANA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 18,1906.

Application filed February 11, 1905. Serial No. 245,256.

To all ZUhOTI'b it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MICHAEL BERT Con- OORAN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Hamilton, in the county of Ravalli and State of Montana, have invented certain new and useful Improvewhich to insert the hay or the material to be pressed, and usually the feeder tramps the hay into place during the retraction of the piston or plunger. In numerous instances the feeder, miscalculating the speed of movement of the plunger, has been caught by the return movement and seriously mutilated or crippled for tory device has been provided to enable the feeder to throw a quantity of hay or othermaterial into the path of the plunger to afford a suflicient load or charge for the press without the necessity of tramping the same into place, as before described.

I The object of this invention is to afford a baler having a large feed-chamber adapted to receive a sufiiciently large quantity of the material to be pressed loosely therein to provide a suitable charge for each movement of the plunger and obviating the necessity of endangering the feeder.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a plunger-head of novel construction adapted to engage all the material thrown into the feed-aperture, though distributed over a relatively large area and to compress pied by the bale while forming.

The invention consists in the matters hereinafter described, and more fully pointed out 1 v and defined in the appended claims.

In the drawin s, Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation o a press embodying my invention, showing the feed mechanism closed and the plunger at the limit of its compresslife; but heretofore no satisfac ing movement. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a central vertical longitudinal section of the same, showing the plunger retracted. Fig. 4 is a central horizontal section of the same. Fig. 5 is a section similar to Fig. 3, but illustrates the compressing movement of the plunger. Fig. 6 is a front end elevation of the plunger. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary horizontal section, showing the plunger at the limit of its compressing movement. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary detail of the articulation of the plunger-blade with the connecting-rod. Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional detail of the compressing-foot and its shaft.

As shown in said drawings, A indicates the rear end or bale-chamber of a press, such as a hay-press.

A indicates the body of the press in which the plunger reciprocates, and A the feedchamber, into which the hay or other mate rial to be pressed is thrown. In the present construction said feed-chamber is shown to be extended laterally on each side of a median line to approximately twice the width of the bale when formed, as shown in Figs. 2, 4, and 7, and the side walls a of the same taper rearwardly and connect with the side walls of the bale-chamber. Each of the side walls a extends upwardly above the feed-chamber, affording extensions M, which at-their rear ends are provided with inwardly-tapering portions a as shown in Figs. 1, 3, and 5, continuous with the tapered walls a.

Pivoted on the topof the bale-chamber, on a shaft 1), is a presser-foot B, comprising a plate of sheet metal or other suitable material provided on its upper side with boxes I), rigidly bolted thereto, and in which said shaft is keyed, and thereby rigidly connected with said presser-foot. Said resser-foot B is shaped to fit to the inclined walls a and a of the feed-chamber and between the walls a thereof and is of a length sufiicient to approximately cover the rear half of said feedchamber when in its depressed position. Said versely, affording a transverse central bar 0, v

which extends through a slot between the (1 as shown, Fig. 5. A rearwardlycurved upwardly extending deflector blade 0 is rigidly engaged on said bar 0 and, together with the presser-foot B when the feed-chamber is open, as shown in Fig. 3, affords the end walls of a hopper, the side walls of which are the extensions a Rigidly secured on each end of the shaft b are the crank-arms B, whichextend forwardly and upwardly at approximately a right angle with the crank-arm 0. Connecting-rods b are pivotally connected to said crank-arms at their extremities and extend downwardly and pivotally engage crankarms 6 rigidly secured on a shaft B journaled transversely of the press beneath the feed-chamber. Said shaft B is provided centrally with a rigidly-secured segmentshaped crank 15 which extends upwardly through the bottom of the press, as shown in Figs. 8 and 4., when the plunger is at its retracted limit of movement and the feedchamber is fully opened.

As shown, powerful springs 1), shown as spiral springs, are engaged on each end of the shaft 1), at one end engaging a fixed part on the frame of the press and at the other 'end a lug 6 carried on the hub of the crank arm B, and act normally to hold the presserfoot and crank-arm in their elevated position and the deflector C retracted at the limitof its movement.

The plunger comprises a central solid head or beam D, rigidly secured between a lower and an upper flat plate d and d, which fit the bottom and top, respectively, of the feedchamber when the plunger is at the compressing limit of movement, as shown in Fig. 7. Brackets d are rigidly secured on the inner faces of each of said plates d and d and pivoted at their ends on said brackets d are slightly-incurved connecting-rods D, each of which extends rearwardly toward the head of the plunger and is provided on its extremity with a pivotally-supported blade D having a thin inwardly-directed edge which extends over the head of the plunger, as shown in Figs. 4, 6, and 7. Said blades are of a width to entirely close the space between the beam D of the plunger and the side walls a and are of a length vertically to fit between the bottom, and top of the press. Each of said blades is engaged at the extremity of the connecting-rod D by means of a suitable pivot-bearing, and a strong spring (1 engages around said bearing and against the ends of the rods D and at the other end presses against saidblade. The outer edge of the blade bears against the side walls of the feed-chamber and holds the inner edge of 'the blade in positive engagement with the head D at all times. As shown, also strong leaf-springs d, thoughianypsuitablqsprings will suflice, are engaged upon the head D and bear against each connecting-rod and act at all times to hold the same at its outward limit of movement.

The operation is as follows: The feeder throws the hay, straw, excelsior, or other material to be compressed into the hopper when openedthat is to say, during the retracting movement of the plungerfilling the hopper to an extent sufficient to afford the desired charge. During the compressing movement the blades D bear against the sides of the press and afford a part of the plunger-head. As the plunger advances it engages the lever-arm 17 which stands approximatelyvertically in the bottom of the feed-chamber, and forces the same rearwardly, as shown in Fig. 5, with the effect of drawing the crank-arm B downwardly and the deflector C inwardly and downwardly until the extremity of the presserfoot coincides with the upper end of the deflector and swings inwardly along the curved inner face of the same, pressing the hay or other material in the feed-chamber downwardly into the path of the plunger. The downward movement of the presser-foot continues until the same rests approximately in the plane of the top of the plunger, thus affording a slight initial compression of the charge, which is completed as the plunger moves inwardly. The outer edges of the plates D upon engagement with the inclined or converging walls a of the feed-chamber are forced inwardly against the compression of the spring d, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, thus affording approximately a solid head as the charge nears the final compression limit and obviating any possibility of injury to said blades and connecting-rod, due to the force of the compression. As the plunger is retracted the springs I) act immediately to elevate the presser-foot and detract the deflector as the plunger clears the lever-segment b The division-blocks E may be inserted, if desired, and while the plunger is retracting. In this manner with each reciprocation of the plunger the hopper is opened and closed, and owing to the construction of the chamber and the expansible plunger a charge of any desired size may be inserted with a certainty that the same will be compressed satisfactorily within the bale-chamber by the plunger, the area of which de press all the material into the feed-chamber into the proper position to be best engaged pressing movement and a relatively small compressing-head during the final compressing movement, and also the means for com pacting the charges in the feedechamber preliminary to the compression maybe varied.

I therefore do not purpose limiting this application for patent otherwise than as necessitated by the prior art, as obviously many details of construction, including means for; inserting division-blocks, may be varied with-- out departing from the principles of my in-;

' ward movement of the plunger.

vention.

I clalm as my 1nvent1on- 1. A baling-press comprisinga large feedchamber converging to a compressing-chamher, a laterally-expansible plunger reciprocating in said feed-chamber, a presser-foot adapted to close the opening in the feed-i chamber, a crank projecting through the bottom of the press into the path of said plunger and means connected therewith acting to operate said presser-foot.

2. A plunger for presses comprising a cen tral member, laterally-movable members c0- acting therewith and together affording af compressing-head, rods carrying said later-' ally-movable members, means acting to force said rods outwardly and means restricting the size of said head as the compression increases.

. 3. The combination with a press, of a'largeg feed-chamber, converging to a bale-chamber, a plunger reciprocating therein and comprising an expansible head adapted to be decreased in size during the compressing movement, a presser-foot adapted to close the feedchamber and a reciprocating plate adjacent said opening.

4. A press of the class described comprise ing a relatively broad hopper, converging end walls therefor opening into a bale-chamber, a compressing-head reciprocating in said chamber, rods pivoted at oneend on said head and laterally-movable plates on their outer ends adapted to collapse inwardly during the compressing movement.

5. In a machine of the class described the combination in a press, of a reciprocating plunger therein, a feed-chamber comprising a broad hopper, a presser-foot pivoted on the press and acting to direct material into said hopper and a lever projecting through the bottom of the press in the path of the plunger acting to draw the presser-foot downwardly to afford initial compression of the material to be pressed.

6. A press comprising a feed-chamber, a broad hop er connected therewith by converging si e walls, a longitudinally-reciproeating deflector forming one end wall of said hopper, a plunger reciprocating in the feedchamber and comprising relatively movable vmembers adapted to collapse inwardly to fit the varying size of the feed-chamber during compression, and a presser-foot pivoted on the press and acting to close the hopper and force the contents downwardly during the compressing movement of the plunger.

7. In a machine of the class described, a plunger affording a varying com ressionsurface, the com ressing area of sai plunger decreasing laterally as the plunger approaches the limit of its compressing movement, ah?- per comprising side walls and a longitu nally-reciprocating end wall and means adapted to close the hopper during the for 8. In a machine of the class deseribeda plunger com rising an expansible head, longitudinal re s pivotally supporting the expansible parts of the head, springs acting to normally hold'said rods extended and converging side walls acting to reduce the size of thetplunger as it approaches the limit of its movement. I

9. In amachine of the class described the combination with a feed-chamber of a pluner therein, a presser-foot pivoted above the eed-chamber, a longitudinally-movable deflector and means for automatically operating said presser-foot and deflector,

10. In a machine of the class described the combination with a feed-chamber, of a reciprocating plunger therein, upwardly extending side walls on said chamber, a swinging presser-foot pivoted at the rear-thereof, a curved deflector at the opposite end of said walls, means operated by said plunger acting to simultaneously reciprocate the deflector and revolve the presser-foot.

'11. In a machine of the class described the combination with an upwardly-opening feedchamber, of a reciprocating plunger therein, side walls extending upwardly beyond .the chamber, a shaft journaled at the rear end thereof, a presser-foot pivotally engaged on said shaft and adapted to close the opening in the feed-chamber, a curved deflector slidably engaged on the top of said chamber, a lever pivoted on the bottom of said chamber and extending into the path of the plunger and levers connecting the same with said deflector and presser-foot.

-12. In a machine of the class described the combination with a feed-chamber having converging side walls and a reciprocating plunger therein comprising a central beam, upper and lower plates on said beam formed at their sides complementally, with the side walls, laterally-slidable plates at the inner end of said plunger, rods pivotally connected therewith and with said top and bottom plates, and means acting normally to hold said slidable plates retracted.

ITO

versely-movable plates pivoted at the for and means engaging said rods adapted to nor-I 13. In a machine of the class described the combination in a bale-press of a reciprocat-i ing plunger, a hopper on said press, a pivoted} plate forming one end of the hopper, arecip-i 'rocating plate forming the other end thereoffl and toggle-levers operated by the plunger act-1 ing to operate said reciprocating plate and! force material into said press.

14.- In a machine of the class described the combination with acompressing-chamber of a feed-chamber opening therein and provided with converging side walls, a plunger, rods pivoted 0n the side of the plunger, plates piv; oted on the forward end of said rods andj adapted to move transversely of the plungerf 'mally hold said plates extended. v 15. In a machine of the class described thei combination with a compressing-chamber? 20' 'ciprocate therein, oppositely-movable plates on the forward end of the plunger, rods pivotally connected with the plunger and said and feed-chamber of a plunger adapted to re-l plates and springs engaging between the -plunger and rods adapted to hold said plates;

extended. I 16. In a machine of the class described the;

combination with the compressing-chamber and feed-chamber of a plunger therein, rods pivoted at the sides of the plunger, trans-.

ward end of said rods and overlapping the: forward end of the plunger, springs adapted;

' tohold said plates in close contact with the ends of the plunger and springs adapted to normally hold said plates at the outward limiti of their movement.

1 7 A press comprising a feed-chamb er, having converging side walls, a reciprocating plunger therein having recesses in the sides thereof, rods pivoted in said recesses, a plate pivoted at the outer end of-each rodand adapted to move transversely of the plunger, springs acting to hold said plates in close engagement with the plunger and springs acting against said rods to normally hold said plates retracted.

I 18. A press comprising a feed-chamber, having converging side walls, a reciprocatin plunger therein tapering toward its forwar end, rods pivoted on said plunger and s ringcontrolled plates pivoted on said rod s and adapted to move outwardly into alinement i with the rear end of the plunger when the plunger is retracted.

19. A press comprising a frame, a shaft journaled therein, a presser-foot ri idlyi engaged on said shaft, a deflector slifably engaged on the frame, lever-arms connected therewith and with said shaft adaptedto o erate the same, a shaft journaled beneath ill frame, a crank-arm thereon, means opera-1 tively connecting said shaft with the presserfoot shaft and a-plunger adapted in itsfor- 

